Device and method for preventing growth of bacteria or removing bacteria in duct of dental unit

ABSTRACT

A device ( 1 ) for preventing the growth of the bacteria or removing the bacteria bred on the inner wall surfaces of the ducts ( 8, 9, 10 ) of a dental unit, comprising a transponder ( 3 ) having a control unit ( 2 ) generating electric signals including audible frequency components, a coil ( 3   a ), and a case ( 3   b ) for storing the coil ( 3   a ) and mounting means ( 5 ) for mounting the transponder ( 3 ) on the outer wall surface of the duct ( 8 ), whereby an audible frequency electric signal allowed to transmit through the ducts ( 8, 9, 10 ) is generated by applying the electric signals to the coil ( 3   a ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention in this application relates to an apparatusand method for preventing growth of microbia propagating themselves onan internal wall of a waterline of a dental unit or for removing themicrobia.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In a dental clinic, a dental unit in which various treatmentinstruments and treatment goods are arranged around a dental chair isinstalled. The dental unit includes, as treatment instruments usingwater, a handpiece for grinding a tooth (tooth grinding tool), a scalerfor removing tartar (tartar removing tool), a syringe for cleaning amouth (mouth cleaning tool), and the like to which service water issupplied.

[0003] In the case where the dental unit is installed in a room of abuilding, a connection box for relay in the dental unit, a tap of awashstand, and the like are connected to a waterline which is branchedfrom a main pipe for receiving supply of service water chlorinated inaccordance with a predetermined environmental sanitation standard andwhich is led into the room.

[0004] To the connection box, an airline from a compressor fordischarging compressed air is usually also connected. The airline andthe waterline are connected to a control center via the unit body.

[0005] To the control center, a plurality of tubes whose tips areprovided with the handpiece, the syringe, and a vacuum cleaner fordischarging water are connected, and a lead wire from a foot switch andthe like is also connected.

[0006] When any of the switches of the instruments is turned on at thetime of treatment, the control center transmits high-pressure water tothe handpiece side via the tube and the high-pressure water rotates aturbine cutter attached to the head of the handpiece, thereby enablinggrinding of a tooth. The control center also supplies low-pressure waterto the syringe via the tube so that the water is injected into themouth. In such a manner, tooth treatment can be performed by usingservice water.

[0007] In the waterline connected to the dental unit, differently from ageneral water pipe, microbia and bacteria easily propagate themselves.It is feared that the water used for treatment of teeth is bad for thehealth of the patient.

[0008] Specifically, each of the waterlines to the handpiece, syringe,scaler, a water supplier for rinsing out the mouth, and the like fromwhich water is supplied directly to the mouth of a patient is branchedin some midpoint and its diameter decreases toward the end side. On theside of the treatment instruments connected to the waterlines, water isnot always used. Therefore, retention time of the water in thewaterlines tends to be long.

[0009] In dental clinics, the room temperature is maintained almostconstant in all seasons. Consequently, even when the temperature ofservice water sent to the main pipe side is low, the water temperaturein the waterlines rises by being influenced by the higher roomtemperature of the dental clinics. The environment of the internal wallface of the waterline is suitable for culturing microbia.

[0010] Consequently, even when the number of colonies of microbia andbacteria included in one milliliter of chlorinated service water is afew on the main pipe side as the source of water, it sharply increaseson the waterline side of the dental unit in which the temperature isabout room temperature. There is a case that the number of coloniesincreased to several hundreds of thousands on the end side of each ofthe waterlines attached to the various treatment instruments.

[0011] As described above, when microbia and bacteria increased in thewaterline enter the body through the mouth of a patient at the time oftreatment, they may cause various diseases and, what is more, a problemof hospital infection arises. Consequently, it has been expected thateffective means for sterilizing water in a waterline used in a dentalclinic, a dental department in a hospital, and the like is developed.

[0012] An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and methodfor preventing growth of microbia and bacteria on an internal wall of awaterline of a dental unit or for removing them, thereby enabling aproblem that the patient is infected in a clinic or hospital to beavoided.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0013] To solve the problems, according to the present invention, thereis provided an apparatus for preventing growth of microbia propagatingthemselves on an internal wall of a waterline of a dental unit or forremoving the microbia, comprising:

[0014] electric signal generating means for generating an electricsignal including an audio frequency component; a transponder including acoil and a case for housing the coil; and means for attaching thetransponder to an external wall of the waterline, wherein the electricsignal is applied to the coil so that an audio electronic signal to besent through the waterline can be generated.

[0015] And according to the invention, there is provided a method forpreventing growth of microbia propagating themselves on an internal wallof a waterline of a dental unit or for removing the microbia, comprisingthe steps of:

[0016] generating an electric signal including an audio frequencycomponent; attaching a transponder including a coil and a case forhousing the coil to an external wall of the waterline; and applying theelectric signal to the coil, thereby generating an audio electronicsignal to be sent through the waterline.

[0017] According to the apparatus and method, growth of microbia can beprevented by the audio electronic signal. The audio electronic signal issent through a waterline so that an effect of prevention of the growthof the microbia can be obtained within a wide range of the waterline.

[0018] In particular, if the electric signal frequency-modulates arounda predetermined frequency and the frequency modulation causes the audioelectronic signal to include a harmonics component, the effect becomesmore conspicuous.

[0019] Preferably, the predetermined frequency is between 1500 Hz and2500 Hz.

[0020] When a face of the transponder which comes in contact with thewaterline has a concave shape whose section is circular, an attachingstate of a transponder to a waterline can be stabilized.

[0021] It is preferable that the transponder is attached near an end ofthe waterline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is a view showing an external appearance of an apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 3 (a) is a side view showing, in detail, a shape of atransponder and the like, FIG. 3 (b) is a transverse sectional viewshowing, in detail, the shape of the transponder and the like, and FIG.3 (c) is a view showing a state in which the transponder is attached toa waterline; and

[0025]FIG. 4 is a view showing a state of use in which the apparatusaccording to the present invention is attached to a dental unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] Representative microbia growing in a waterline are psuedomonas,klebsiella, legionella, mycobacterium, mesophilic, heterotrophic, andmoraxella.

[0027] In this specification, microbia include bacteria and yeast. Thepresent invention is mainly effective at preventing microbia fromgrowing in a waterline or removing the microbia in the waterline.

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will be described belowwith reference to the drawings.

[0029]FIG. 1 is a view showing an external appearance of an apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is aschematic block diagram showing the apparatus.

[0030] In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes the apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 2 denotes a control unit, the reference numeral 3 denotes atransponder, and the reference numeral 4 denotes a coaxial cable.

[0031] The control unit 2 acting as electric signal generating means hasa voltage capacitor oscillator 2 a provided therein. The voltagecapacitor oscillator 2 a is a main part for generating an electricsignal, and serves to generate an electric signal which fluctuates in arange of 2000 Hz±40 Hz.

[0032] In other words, the electric signal frequency-modulates in arange of 1960 Hz to 2040 Hz. A center frequency is not always 2000 Hzbut any audio frequency can be used. In particular, it is preferablethat a specific frequency between 1500 Hz and 2500 Hz should be set tothe center frequency.

[0033] Power is supplied from the outside to the control unit 2 by meansof an electric power unit (not shown).

[0034] The transponder 3 mainly includes a coil 3 a and a case 3 b forhousing the coil 3 a. The coil 3 a is formed by winding afilament-shaped copper wire around a coil former about 88 times. Thecoil former has a ferrite core. The coil 3 a has a reactance of 36microhenry.

[0035] The control unit 2 and the transponder 3 are connected throughthe coaxial cable 4. The electric signal output from the control unit 2is sent to the coil 3 a of the transponder 3 through the coaxial cable4.

[0036]FIG. 3 (a) is a side view showing, in detail, a shape of thetransponder 3 and the like, FIG. 3 (b) is a transverse sectional viewshowing the same, and FIG. 3 (c) is a view showing a state in which thetransponder 3 is attached to a waterline.

[0037] The transponder 3 has an almost cylindrical shape. A sectionalshape of the transponder 3 has a concave portion 3 d formed like acircular arc as shown in FIG. 3 (b). The concave portion 3 d is formedto stabilize the state of attachment to the waterline 8 when thetransponder 3 is attached to the waterline 8 of the dental unit 11 andthe like (see FIG. 4).

[0038] Two trenches 3 c are formed on sides of the transponder 3 in acircumferential direction. The trenches 3 c are formed in order to fitbind members 5 therein when the transponder 3 is to be attached to thewaterline 8 by means of the bind members 5.

[0039]FIG. 4 is a use state diagram showing a state where the apparatus1 is attached to the waterline 8 of the dental unit 11.

[0040] In FIG. 4, the reference numeral 6 denotes the floor of a room ofa dental clinic in a building. On the floor 6, the dental unit 11 and awashstand 19 are mounted, and a main pipe 7 to which service water issupplied is extended under the floor in a hidden state.

[0041] The reference numeral 8 denotes a waterline as the transmissionsource of water connected to the main pipe 7. From the water line 8, awater line 9 and a water line 10 each having a diameter smaller thanthat of the water line 8 are branched. To the end of the waterline 9, atap 20 provided for the washstand 19 is connected. To the end of thewaterline 10, a connection box 13 is connected. To each of them, servicewater from the main pipe 7 side is sent.

[0042] The reference numeral 11 denotes the dental unit. In a seating 12a of a dental chair 12, the connection box 13 is provided. A unit body14 is disposed on one side of the dental chair 12.

[0043] To the connection box 13, an airline (not shown in FIG. 4) from acompressor for discharging compressed air is connected. To theconnection box 13, an electric scaler for removing tartar and a mouthrinse water supplier for supplying water used to rinse the mouth areconnected via waterlines each having a small diameter.

[0044] To the unit body 14, a waterline 10 a and an airline disposed soas to be hidden from the connection box 13 side are connected. Anexposed waterline 10 b is extended from the unit body 14 and isconnected to the control center 15 side. The waterline 10 b is connectedto the waterline 10 a. The reference numeral 18 denotes an illuminatinglamp attached to the unit body 14.

[0045] To the control center 15, tubular waterlines 10 c and 10 d areconnected. A hand piece 16 for grinding a tooth is attached to the endof the waterline 10 c and a syringe 17 for washing the mouth is attachedto the end of the waterline 10 d.

[0046] To the control center 15, a tube (not shown in FIG. 4) to which avacuum cleaner for discharging water is attached, a foot switch andother operation switches as operation parts, and a lead wire from arelay switch or the like are also connected.

[0047] By operating the operation parts (not shown), the control center15 constructed as described above receives service water from thewaterline 10 b and high-pressure air from the airline, and sendshigh-pressure water to the handpiece 16 side via the waterline 10 c. Itmakes the turbine cutter of the head of the handpiece 16 rotate at highspeed. By operating the operation parts, low-pressure water is sent tothe syringe 17 side via the waterline 10 d, so that service water can besupplied into the mouth. In such a manner, treatment of teeth can beperformed.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the transponder 3 is attached to thewaterline 8 connected to the main pipe 7. The reason why the transponder3 is attached in this position is because service water flows from themain pipe 7 to the dental unit 11 and the washstand 19 side via thewaterlines 8, 9, and 10, and an audio electronic signal which will bedescribed later propagates by using, as electric conductor, the servicewater flowing toward the waterlines 10 a to 10 d and the like of thedental unit 11.

[0049] The transponder 3 is firmly attached to the waterline 8 byallowing a concave portion 3 d of the transponder 3 to come in contactwith the external wall of the waterline 8 and, after that, binding thetransponder 3 and the waterline 8 in a state where the two bind members5 are fit in the trenches 3 c.

[0050] The coaxial cable 4 whose one end is connected to the controlunit 2 is inserted in a through hole 6 a opened in the floor 6, and theother end of the coaxial cable 4 is connected to the transponder 3.

[0051] In such a manner, the transponder 3 can be easily attached to thewaterline 8 without taking the waterline 8 as the transmission source ofwater for coupling the main pipe 7 and the waterlines 9 and 10 from themain pipe 7.

[0052] As described above, the electric signal is sent from the controlunit 2 to the coil 3 a in the transponder 3.

[0053] Consequently, the transponder 3 generates, in the waterline 8, anaudio electronic signal which frequency-modulates in a range of 2000Hz±40 Hz. Harmonics are also generated on the audio electronic signal bythe frequency modulation.

[0054] In other words, the audio electronic signal includes a frequencycomponent which fluctuates around 2000 Hz, and a harmonics component.The harmonics can make effects of the present invention (effects ofprevention of growth of microbia and removal of the microbia) moreremarkable.

[0055] Such an audio electronic signal is sent through the waterlines8,9,10. The transponder 3 is in contact with the waterline 8 in theconcave portion 3 d. Consequently, the audio electronic signal is easilygenerated in the waterline 8. Ideally, the audio electronic signal sentthrough the waterlines 8,9,10 has a voltage level of 200 to 600millivolts.

[0056] The audio electronic signal is sent over a whole length of thewaterlines 8,9,10,10 a-10 d. The waterlines 8-10 d and the water actingas a medium filled in the waterlines 8-10 d function as conductors forsending the audio electronic signal.

[0057] The audio electronic signal breaks off an electrochemicaladhesion function of individual cells of the microbia, therebypreventing growth of a biofilm of the microbia. Consequently, themicrobia cannot adhere to an internal wall of the waterline 8-10 d well.Thus, the cells cannot be increased.

[0058] As described above, the problem of the conventional techniquethat service water retained in a waterline is warmed at room temperatureand the number of colonies of microbia and bacteria included in onemilliliter of service water sharply increases to several hundreds ofthousands toward the end is solved.

[0059] Therefore, service water including a small number of colonies canbe used for treatment of a patient, so that a cause of diseases can beremoved and the problem of infection in a clinic or hospital can be alsoprevented.

[0060] In the above-mentioned embodiment, one transponder 3 is attachedto the waterline 8 only. One transponder can prevent the biofilm of themicrobia from growing over the whole length of the waterline which isnot greater than 30 m. If the waterline has a length greater than 30 m,it is preferable that a plurality of transponders should be attached tothe waterline.

[0061] In the case where each of the waterlines 8 to 10 d is shorterthan 30 m, the position of attaching the transponder is preferred to benear the end of the waterline as described above.

[0062] Although the transponder 3 is attached to the waterline 8 in theforegoing embodiment, the transponder 3 may be attached to any of thewaterlines 8, 9, 10, 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c for the dental unit 11. Forexample, the transponder 3 may be attached to any of a pipe line A ofthe waterline 9 to which the tap 20 as the end side of the waterline 8is connected, a pipe line B of the waterline 10 a near the outlet sideof the connection box 13, or a pipe line C of the waterline 10 b nearthe inlet side of the control center 15. It is also possible to attachthe transponders 3 to the plurality of positions and connect thetransponders 3 to the control unit 2 via the coaxial cables 4.

[0063] It is also possible to connect a plurality of transponders 3 toone control unit 2 via the coaxial cables 4, and attach the transponders3 to waterlines of a plurality of dental units 11. With theconfiguration, in a dental clinic having a plurality of dental units,the apparatus of the present invention can be effectively used.

[0064] The present invention is carried out in the above-mentioned formand has the following effects.

[0065] (1) According to the apparatus and method of the presentinvention, growth of microbia in a waterline of a dental unit can beprevented by an audio electronic signal. The audio electronic signal issent through a waterline so that an effect of prevention of the growthof the microbia can be obtained within a wide range of the waterlineconnected to the dental unit. Furthermore, a transponder can easily beattached to the waterline.

[0066] (2) In particular, if an electric signal frequency-modulatesaround a predetermined frequency and the frequency modulation causes theaudio electronic signal to include a harmonics component, the effect ofthe prevention of the growth of the microbia can be made remarkable.

[0067] (3) If a face of the transponder which comes in contact with thewaterline has a concave shape whose section is circular, the transpondercan stably be attached to the waterline.

1. An apparatus for preventing growth of microbia propagating themselveson an internal wall of a waterline of a dental unit or for removing themicrobia, comprising: electric signal generating means for generating anelectric signal including an audio frequency component; a transponderincluding a coil and a case for housing the coil; and means forattaching the transponder to an external wall of the waterline, whereinthe electric signal is applied to the coil so that an audio electronicsignal to be sent through the waterline can be generated.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric signalfrequency-modulates around a predetermined frequency.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the audio electronic signal includes aharmonics component by the frequency modulation.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined frequency isbetween 1500 Hz and 2500 Hz.
 5. The apparatus according to any of claims1 to 4, wherein a face of the transponder which comes in contact withthe waterline has a concave shape whose section is circular.
 6. Theapparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the transponder isattached near an end of the waterline.
 7. A method for preventing growthof microbia propagating themselves on an internal wall of a waterline ofa dental unit or for removing the microbia, comprising the steps of:generating an electric signal including an audio frequency component;attaching a transponder including a coil and a case for housing the coilto an external wall of the waterline; and applying the electric signalto the coil, thereby generating an audio electronic signal to be sentthrough the waterline.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein theelectric signal frequency-modulates around a predetermined frequency. 9.The method according to claim 8, wherein the audio electronic signalincludes a harmonics component by the frequency modulation.
 10. Themethod according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the predetermined frequency isbetween 1500 Hz and 2500 Hz.
 11. The method according to any of claims 7to 10, wherein a face of the transponder which comes in contact with thewaterline has a concave shape whose section is circular.
 12. The methodaccording to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the transponder is attachednear an end of the waterline.